American Studies, full-time, first cycle

This degree programme is conducted within the “Integrated Teaching & Learning Development Programme –  ZIP 2.0”. It is co-financed by the European Social Fund as part of the European Funds for Social Development Programme 2021–2027 (FERS) (contract no.: FERS.01.05-IP.08-0365/23-00).
Studying in this programme provides additional opportunities to develop passions and competencies that are valuable in a rapidly changing job market.

Thanks to European Funds, Participants of ZIP 2.0 Programme can benefit from  numerous opportunities including:
-       Additional classes conducted by practitioners and organized in cooperation with the socio-economic environment,
-       Workshops developing teamwork skills in international and multicultural environment,
-       Individual domestic and international trips for academic and professional purposes,
-        Various forms of collaboration with researchers from abroad,
-       A diverse range of training camps, outdoor classes, and study tours,
-       Financial support to cover the costs of student-led scientific research,
-       Tutoring, i.e., individual support from academic teachers,
-       A professional mentoring programme that prepares students to enter the job market,
-       Opportunities to carry out socially engaged group projects.

Check the rules for participating in the ZIP 2.0 Programme (coming soon).

Field: humanities

Discipline: American Studies

Language of instruction: English

Professional degree you will be awarded after completing studies: Bachelor’s degree (licencjat)

Where and when your classes will take place

Place:

We provide a comfortable environment for our students. Classes are held in a modern building located at Dobra 55, in Powiśle. The Main Campus of the University of Warsaw, other faculties, and the University Library are located nearby. The building is adapted to the needs of people with disabilities.

The classrooms are fitted with computer equipment and Internet access. Wireless Internet (EDUROAM network) is available throughout the building.

The ASC Library collection is highly valued by students, researchers, and journalists in American studies. The library holdings include materials on both the United States and Latin America, in both humanities and social sciences.

Time: Classes are held from Monday through Friday, from 8am to 8pm.

What kind of knowledge, skills and competencies you will acquire at this field of studies

American Studies program covers both humanities and social sciences— the interdisciplinary field of cultural studies, history, political science, sociology, and literature. Cultural studies
is the leading discipline in the program.

Our American Studies program is one of the largest in Europe. It is unique thanks to its interdisciplinary approach to the United States. Significantly, English is our language of instruction, which helps to promote intercultural understanding and international exchange.

We teach how to address the problems of the modern era—locally, regionally, and supra-regionally,” and help develop “skills most looked for by employers on today’s job market” (from the mission of the UW Institute of the Americas and Europe to which the ASC belongs).

At the ASC, you will learn, for instance:

- how to formulate and address various research problems and how to identify, understand, interpret, explain and analyze the causes and dynamics of cultural processes and phenomena in the United States;

- how to use various resources for this purpose and how to employ research methods and tools developed in the humanities and social sciences;

- how to recognize and understand facts and processes as well as interpret them and use them to arrive at your own conclusions.

Where you can find a job after completing studies

As an ASC graduate you will find employment in business, trade, journalism, media, cultural institutions, higher education, public administration, diplomacy, international organizations, and tourism. Our interdisciplinary program will prepare you to carry out work done by researchers, entrepreneurs, journalists, teachers of humanities and social sciences, social activists, and specialists working at various public institutions.

Are there different specialties and specializations at the field of studies

American Studies is an interdisciplinary program, which will allow you to become familiar with various fields of knowledge about the United States and the Western Hemisphere—culture, literature, arts, film, media, history, economy, politics, history of ideas, society, and law.

What will you learn during the studies

Our program includes obligatory courses that introduce students to five major disciplines and elective courses that expand their knowledge within individual disciplines, particularly knowledge relevant to their BA papers. Students also take courses on research methods in the humanities and social sciences, academic writing in English, and academic reading in practice.

Will you pursue internship during the studies

While our program does not offer external internships in external, it provides an opportunity for our best students to apply for grants and travel for research purposes to American Studies libraries in Europe and the United States.

Is it possible to study one/several semesters at other university

Yes.  As a student of the American Studies Center, you may spend up to two semesters studying at another European university with a grant from the Erasmus+ mobility programme. ASC has agreements with numerous universities and colleges in Europe. Moreover, due to a special bilateral agreement between American Studies Center, University of Warsaw and University of Florida, Gainesville, students may apply for stipends for a fall or spring semester at the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Where you can find more information on the study programme
Detailed information about our BA programme can be found on our website: 
https://www.asc.uw.edu.pl/candidates/ba-program/

and a detailed list of our courses can be found here
https://www.asc.uw.edu.pl/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Program-BA-for-students-entering-in-2025_2026.pdf

Admission rules

 Minimum number of points needed to be qualified: 50

Candidates are obliged to hold one of the documents accepted by the University of Warsaw, certifying their competence in the English language at least at the B2 level.

Polish new maturity exam 2005 – 2025

 Minimum number of points needed to be qualified: 50

Points are calculated as follows:

W = a * P + b * M + c * J + d * X

where:

W – the final result
P – result from the Polish language on basic or advanced level
M – result from Mathematics on basic or advanced level
J – result from the English language on advanced level
X - result from additional subject on basic or advanced level
a, b, c, d – weights.

Important information for candidates with the foreign language exam result at bilingual level. >> Check! <<

Information on documents certifying knowledge of the English language. >> Check! <<

Candidates whose result in the English language at the advanced level in the Polish maturity exam („new maturity diploma”) is lower than 60% are obliged to upload on their registration account in the IRK system (section “Education” – “Certificates and other documents required to start studies”) one of the documents accepted by the University of Warsaw certifying their competence in English (see the above list) and contact the Admissions Commission.

Old maturity exam

 Minimum number of points needed to be qualified: 50

Points are calculated as follows:

W = a * P + b * M + c * J + d * X

where:

W – the final result
P – result from the Polish language on basic or advanced or undefined level
M – result from Mathematics on basic or advanced or undefined level
J – result from the English language on advanced or undefined level
X - result from additional subject on basic or advanced or undefined level
a, b, c, d – weights.

Maturity exam after 1991

grade 6 = 100%
grade 5 = 90%
grade 4 = 75%
grade 3 = 50%
grade 2 = 30%

Maturity exam until 1991

grade 5 = 100%
grade 4 = 85%
grade 3 = 40%

Important information for candidates with Polish old maturity exam. >> Check! <<

Information on documents certifying knowledge of the English language. >> Check! <<

International Baccalaureate (IB)

 Minimum number of points needed to be qualified: 50

Points are calculated as follows:

W = a * P + b * M + c * J + d * X

where:

W – the final result
P – result from the Polish language on standard or higher level
M – result from Mathematics on standard or higher level
J – result from the English language on higher level
X - result from additional subject on standard or higher level
a, b, c, d – weights.

The IB results will be converted according to the table below:

7 = 100%
6 = 90%
5 = 75%
4 = 60%
3 = 45%
2 = 30%

Important information for candidates with IB and EB. >> Check! <<

Information on documents certifying knowledge of the English language. >> Check! <<

European Baccalaureate (EB)

 Minimum number of points needed to be qualified: 50

Points are calculated as follows:

W = a * P + b * M + c * J + d * X

where:

W – the final result
P – result from the Polish language on basic or advanced level
M – result from Mathematics on basic or advanced level
J – result from the English language on advanced level
X - result from additional subject on basic or advanced level
a, b, c, d – weights.

The EB results will be converted according to the table below:

9,00 - 10,00 = 100%
8,00 - 8,99 = 90%
7,50 - 7,99 = 75%
7,00 - 7,49 = 60%
6,00 - 6,99 = 45%
5,00 - 5,99 = 30%

Important information for candidates with IB and EB. >> Check! <<

Information on documents certifying knowledge of the English language. >> Check! <<

Foreign diploma

Minimum number of points needed to be qualified: 50

Qualification procedure consists of two stages: calculation of points obtained at high school diploma (I stage) and qualification interview (II stage).

Qualification result at I stage is calculated according to the table below:

Points are calculated as follows:

W = a * P + b * M + c * J + d * X

where:

W – the final result
P – result from the Polish or original language
M – result from Mathematics
J – result from the English language
X - result from additional subject
a, b, c, d – weights.

Candidates, who obtain at least 60 points can participate in the II stage of the qualification procedure.

II STAGE

Candidates who do not receive the minimum number of points required at the 1st stage of the selection procedure (at least 60 points) will receive 0 (zero) points for the entire procedure.

In the II stage candidates participate in the oral exam. The exam can also be conducted via Google Meets or, if necessary, another Internet communicator.

Candidates can obtain 0-100 points in the additional oral exam.

The oral exam will cover contemporary social issues of the United States of America, as well as basic information about political, social, and economic life of the USA and the region. Basic knowledge of facts about the US history and geography will also be evaluated. The exam consists of 4 questions.

The final result is calculated as follows: the weight of stage I of the qualification procedure – 50%, the weight of stage II of the qualification procedure – 50 %. The final result will be the arithmetic average of the results of both stages of the procedure.

Qualification interview: 18th of July, 2025

Calculation of candidates high school diploma results. >> Check! <<

Information on documents certifying knowledge of the English language. >> Check! <<

Checking candidates' competence to undertake studies conducted in the English language

Candidates are obliged to hold one of the documents accepted by the University of Warsaw, certifying their competence in the English language at least at the B2 level.

Information on documents certifying knowledge of the English language. >> Check! <<

Deadlines

Announcement of results: 22nd of July, 2025

Reception of documents: 

• I round: 23rd-25th of July, 2025
• II round (in case of not fulfilling the limit during I round): 28th-29th of July, 2025
• III round (in case of not fulfilling the limit during II round): 30th-31st of July, 2025
• additional rounds will be announced in case of not fulfilling the limits

Payments

Application fee

Student's ID payment (ELS)

The studies are payable for citizens of Non-UE/EFTA countries (EEA parties) and Switzerland - tuition fees

Required documents

List of required documents submitted by candidates qualified for studies

Additional information

Find us on the map: American Studies Center